When considering the business landscape in Russia, it is often only the urban population that is considered, missing almost 38 million people that make up about 27 percent of the rural country population. This equates to the whole population of Poland and almost seven times the population of Denmark. As the biggest country in the world by square kilometers/miles, Russia’s emerging rural landscape is brimming with opportunities for expansion.

Increasing utility bills and rising costs are driving Russian shoppers to watch their grocery budgets more than ever. Fast-moving consumer goods retailers and manufacturers need to recalibrate strategies to adjust to a more price-conscious consumer.

Russia is easing its way out of the global recession, and its economy is exhibiting signs of recovery. In fact, with a large and expanding middle class, a youthful population, and vast natural resources, most observers agree that Russia is poised to experience strong economic growth.

Economic power is clearly moving east. According to the International Monetary Fund, GDP is expected to grow within the BRIC countries 61.3 percent between 2008 and 2012, compared with just 12.8 percent for the G7 nations. Today, global consumption patterns clearly favor developing markets and in Russia, the growth potential is tremendous.

Russia is a huge economic powerhouse with significant room to grow. Its growing middle class, high education level and developed technology infrastructure make it ripe for opportunity. But innovation myths about Russia are impacting full growth realization.

A relief from the heat came in the form of increased consumption of soft drinks in Russia, which increased 24% since last year — a sign of recovering consumer confidence.

Since the start of the Russian free market more than 20 years ago, car owners have been changing over their cars with greater frequency.

Following the positive trends exhibited in the first quarter of 2010, Europe’s second quarter was a disappointment according to the latest Nielsen European Growth Reporter.

In many developing markets, inexpensive and available mobile phones serve as a substitute pathway to the Internet. Rapid mobile phone adoption presents “reverse innovation” opportunities for clever marketers who leverage the trend.

While global consumer confidence continues the slow but steady climb upward from the lows experienced in the first quarter of 2009, consumer spending is following a similar trajectory.